In response to some of the myths about nuclear energy advanced in the documentary, Pandora's Promise - but in larger part in response to the pro-nuclear propaganda in circulation generally - Beyond Nuclear is today releasing:

This report, in the form of handy bullet points but fully referenced throughout, is designed to serve as a central source for many of the facts about nuclear power that are either ignored, obscured or mis-represented by the nuclear deniers.

The different sections cover, among many topics: climate change; the health impacts of Chernobyl and Fukushima; Germany's nuclear exit and France's dependence on it; the flaws and impracticabilities of the "new" reactor designs; and various misleading arguments made by the pro-nuclear propagandists, from base load energy to bananas.

DEP Seeks Missing Nuclear Gauge Lost Between Pennsylvania, West Virginia

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and West Virginia state officials are searching for a missing portable gauge containing sealed sources of radioactive material that was lost in West Virginia on May 3, and are asking anyone with information on the missing gauge to report it to DEP.

“It is critical for anyone who has information about the lost nuclear gauge to contact the Pennsylvania DEP, Nuclear Regulatory Commission or a local law enforcement agency immediately,” DEP Bureau of Radiation Protection Director David Allard said. “As long as the device is not tampered with or damaged, it presents no hazard to public safety.”

The gauge, a Troxler Model 3430 with serial number 32506, was lost when it apparently fell off the back of a truck on I-81 between the Pennsylvania and West Virginia border between mile markers 17 and 24. The bright yellow gauge is commonly used in road construction for taking measurements in the ground, and it is about the size of a shoe box, with electronic controls and a metal rod extending from the top surface.

The gauge is normally stored in a locked yellow transportation container when not in use at construction sites, but it apparently fell out of the container on the back of the company’s truck during transport.

Valley Quarries Inc. of Chambersburg, Franklin County, is licensed by DEP to possess and use the gauge. Staff from the company was using it in West Virginia at the time it was lost.

Anyone who finds the gauge should leave it alone and report the location to DEP during normal working hours at 717-787-2480 or 412-442-4227. After normal working hours and on weekends, call 1-800-541-2050 or 412-442-4000. In the event of an emergency, dial 911. A trained individual will be dispatched immediately to recover the gauge.

The company is offering a reward for information leading to its return.

To view a picture of the missing gauge, visit DEP’s website at www.dep.state.pa.us and click on “Radiation Protection.”

Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 - Approval of Request to Use a Provision of a Later Addenda of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code for Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants (TAC No. ME9510)

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSL2N0DJ2QG20130502?irpc=932
Duke Energy, the largest U.S. electric utility, says it has notified regulators that it will drop plans to build two new nuclear reactors in North Carolina due to slow growth in power demand. Progress Energy, which Duke acquired last year, proposed building two AP1000 reactors at the Harris nuclear plant site in Wake County, North Carolina, and submitted an application in 2008 for a construction and operating license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The company's supply forecast indicates additional nuclear generation won't be needed at Harris for at least 15 years. However, Duke said it will continue to work to obtain NRC licenses for two new reactors in Levy County, Florida, and another two reactors in Gaffney, South Carolina. Four new reactors are currently under construction at two sites in the southeastern United States: two at Scana Corp's Summer nuclear station in South Carolina and two at Southern Co's Vogtle station in Georgia.

http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2013/04/nrc-shoots-down-texas-nuclear-plant-expansion.htmland San Antonio Express-News, by Nolan Hicks, April 30, 2013http://nukefreetexas.org/2013/05/regulators-too-much-foreign-ownership-for-nuclear-expansionPlans to build two new reactors at the South Texas Project nuclear facility outside Bay City have hit a road block. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ruled that a partnership between NRG and Toshiba Corp. through the holding company Nuclear Innovation North America violated a U.S law prohibiting foreign control of nuclear power plants. The holding company plans to appeal the ruling to the NRC’s Atomic Safety Licensing Board, arguing that NRG controls 90 percent of the holding company, a NRG spokesman said. NRG and Toshiba remain hopeful they can convince the atomic safety board to overrule NRC staff. But they will likely face an uphill climb. No date for a hearing has been set.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD

In the Matter of Docket # 50-293-LR Entergy Corporation
Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
License Renewal Application

November 18, 2011

PILGRIM WATCH REQUEST FOR HEARING ON A NEW CONTENTION REGARDING INADEQUACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT, POST FUKUSHIMA

In accordance with 10 C.F.R § 2.309 (c)(1) Pilgrim Watch files a new Request for Hearing. The contention reads:
Based on new and significant information from Fukushima, the Environmental Report is inadequate post Fukushima Daiichi. Entergy‘s SAMA analysis ignores new and significant issues raised by Fukushima regarding the probability of both containment failure, and subsequent larger off-site consequences due, in part, to the need for flooding the reactor (vessel, containment, pool) with huge amounts of water in a severe accident, as at Fukushima.